Tuesday, August 26, 2014

Years ago, two scientists – O’Neill and Sacks – worked together
to develop a mutagen which would be valuable for healing sick people. Their
test subjects were four turtles and a rat. A fire broke out in the laboratory,
and O’Neill died, leaving behind his daughter April. Now, years later, a gang
called the Foot Clan is terrorizing New York City. April O’Neill is a news
reporter, and sees the Foot Clan thwarted by unknown (and oddly-shaped)
vigilantes. When April investigates the vigilantes, she is surprised to learn
that her life has intersected theirs before – and she also learns some hard
truths about her past. Meanwhile, the vigilantes – the Teenage Mutant Ninja
Turtles – must prevent the Foot Clan from unleashing a terrible virus onto the
populace of New York.

How Does This Connect
to Adoption?

The rat and four turtles that had served as test subjects
for the scientists were saved by April. She loved them as pets, and freed them
when it seemed that they would die in the fire. The mutagen that had been
injected into them caused them to grow in mind and stature until they became
anthropomorphized. They’re basically humans. The rat, Splinter, developed more
quickly than the turtles (Leonardo, Donatello, Raphael and Michelangelo). He
raised them and trained them in the martial arts. He calls them “my sons,” and
refers to himself as their father.

** SPOILER ALERT **

April’s father did not die because of the fire. He was
killed by Sacks, the other scientist. Sacks is more or less the adoptive son of
The Shredder, the leader of the Foot Clan gang. Sacks hoped to develop the
mutagen as a cure for a serious disease, and then to use the mutagen for
leverage by unleashing a disease on New York and then demanding power for the
cure.

** END SPOILER **

Positive Aspects

I like Splinter. Splinter explains that he had to show the
Turtles how to be safe, “So I became their father and they became my sons.” Splinter
is a positive father figure. He believes in the Turtles, telling them that they
are destined to protect New York, and that they will be able to accomplish “amazing
things.” He also reminds them that, as his sons, the Turtles must trust him. When
they reach a certain age, he entrusts them with their trademark weapons in a
ritual of aging. In a crisis, Splinter puts the Turtles’ needs ahead of his
own. Splinter also encourages fellowship among the brothers, telling them “Your
true power lies in believing in one another.” Splinter is nurturing, firm,
encouraging, selfless, and wise. There seem to be several recent films with
positive adoptive (or adoptive-type) father figures – Despicable Me 2, Admission,
Chimpanzee, Instructions Not Included, Kung Fu Panda, Les Miserables, Martian
Child, Man of Steel, Pacific Rim, and now Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles all come
to mind. Hopefully this trend continues; it’s good for kids and teens to be
able to see aspects of their stories reflected positively in film, often
without it being a big deal in the film.

One character is told that her father will be proud of her,
so long as she stays true to herself. This is also an important message for
kids to be told, regularly – that you will be proud of them, no matter what.

The Turtles’ calling card is an ancient Japanese symbol for “family.”
It feels very meaningful. Later, one character notes that they stuck together because
“that’s what family is for.”

Challenges – spoilers
ahead.

We see elements of April’s father’s murder. Now that April
is an adult, her father’s murderer tries to kill her; shots are fired, but
April is unharmed. Some viewers may struggle with the depiction of violence,
and others may find it difficult to be immersed in a story that involves the
violent death of a parent.

Splinter uses dojo-esque corporal punishment on the Turtles.
It’s played for humor, but could remind some viewers of trauma experienced earlier
in life.

April learns that her father’s trusted friend – whom she has
also trusted for much of her life – is untrustworthy. I found myself thinking
about how painful it must be to think for much of your life that one story is
true, and then to find out in a traumatic way that you’ve believed a lie. This
makes me remember how important it is for families to talk openly and honestly
about adoption from an early age. Age-appropriate honesty, protected by
confidentiality, is way healthier than secrecy. But I’m kind of on a tangent
right now. Back to the movie…

Negative Aspects

Sacks has been negatively influenced by The Shredder. One character
explains, “his soul has been poisoned by a dark master [The Shredder, who is]…
like a father to him.” While Splinter is a positive father figure, The Shredder
is certainly a negative one.

Shredder mocks Splinter by suggesting that Splinter is not
their true father. This could be very hard for kids who are struggling with questions
of identity, belonging, and “real-ness” of the adoptive family.

Shredder stabs Splinter. Splinter does not die, but he is hurt.

The Turtles are shown in peril; a character threatens to
drain all of their blood.

Recommendations

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles presents a very positive portrayal
of family loyalty, with a particularly positive adoptive father figure. (It
also presents the same things in very negatively lights with regard to Sacks
and The Shredder, but their story gets a lot less screen time and exposition
than the Turtles’ positive story). There are scenes and recollections of peril,
violence, and loss which could be traumatic for young kids, and the movie might
feel a little childish for older teens, but I expect there to be an age window –
maybe between 10 and 14 – where viewers will enjoy the film and be able to
appreciate the film’s portrayal of loyalty in an adoptive family and a very
positive adoptive father. If, after reading this review, you don’t think your
10-14 year olds would be bothered by any of the challenging or weak points,
then I’d suggest watching the film together as a family, and then implementing
one or two of the ideas below.

Questions for
Discussion / Activities to Try

If we were to design a “calling card” for our family (like
the Turtles’ use of the symbol for “family”), what would our symbol be?

What “aging rituals” can your family develop to honor the
increased responsibilities and capabilities that come at certain ages (or at
certain developmental milestones?)